Argyle’s youngsters can be proud of efforts in narrow defeat at Villa Park
Plymouth Argyle suffered a first defeat in the Premier League Under23 Cup group stage as they fell 1-0 at Aston Villa on Friday evening.
The Pilgrims’ youngsters were under pressure for large spells of the game at Villa Park, but they defended resolutely throughout.
Villa could have taken the lead in the second minute as Corey BlackettTaylor rounded goalkeeper Michael Cooper but shot wide.
That was a sign of things to come as both Blackett-Taylor and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy caused the Pilgrims problems with their pace.
They were complemented by Harry McKirdy and Jordan Cox, who also looked lively.
Argyle had chances of their own, though, and they were the side who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half.
Alex Battle, who was probably one of the most impressive performers for coach Kevin Nancekivell’s side, sent in a corner which was headed towards goal and cleared off the line by Blackett-Taylor.
Villa continued to pressurise the Argyle goal in the second half, with Cooper making a number of good saves from efforts from outside the penalty area.
The decisive goal came in the 71st minute, after Hepburn-Murphy jinked his way into the box and was dispossessed.
However the home side came back, and this time the ball was crossed over the heads of the Argyle defence by Jack Clarke. The ball reached McKirdy, who played it across the box to Cox, and he slotted it home with relative ease.
Argyle pushed for an equaliser in the final moments of the game but rarely tested home goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.